n' over to the tories, an' will vote for Vanston to-morrow."

Kathleen rose with a glowing cheek, and an eye sparkling with an
enthusiastic trust in her lover's faith; "No, father," said she, "by the
light of heaven above us, he will never vote for Vanston--unless Vanston
becomes the friend of our religion. I have only one worthless life, but
if I had a thousand, and that every one of them was worth a queen's, I'd
stake them all on Bryan M'Mahon's truth. If he ever turns traitor--let
me die before I hear it, I pray God this night!"

As she spoke, the tears of pride, trust, and the noble attachment by
which she was moved, ran down her cheeks; in fact, the natural dignity
and high moral force of her character awed them, and her father
completely subdued, simply replied:--

"Very well, Kathleen; I'll say no more, dear; I won't press the matter
on you again, and so I'll tell Jemmy Burke."

Kathleen, after wiping away her tears, thanked him, and said with a
smile, and in spite of the most boundless confidence in the integrity
of her lover, "never, at any rate, father, until Bryan M'Mahon turns a
traitor to his religion and his country."

On the evening of the next day, or rather late at night, her father
returned from the scene of contest, but very fortunately for Kathleen's
peace of mind during that night, he found on inquiry that she and Hanna
had been for a considerable time in bed. The following morning Hanna,
who always took an active share in the duties of the family, and who
would scarcely permit her sister to do anything, had been up a short
time before her, and heard from her mother's lips the history of Bryan's
treachery, as it was now termed by all. We need scarcely say that she
was deeply affected, and wept bitterly. Kathleen, who rose a few minutes
afterwards, thought she saw her sister endeavoring to conceal her
face, but the idea passed away without leaving anything like a fixed
impression upon it. Hanna, who was engaged in various parts of the
house, contrived still to keep her face from the observation of
her sister, until at length the latter was ultimately struck by the
circumstance as well as by Hanna's unusual silence. Just as her father
had entered to breakfast, a sob reached her ears, and on going over to
inquire if anything were wrong, Hanna, who was now fairly overcome, and
could conceal her distress no longer, ran over, and throwing herself on
Kathleen's neck, she exclaimed in a violent burst of